We love to recommend diverse books for you to read all year long, but the votes are in and we want to share our list of absolute favorites of the year. Grab one of our Top 5 Diverse Picture Books of 2023 to give to one of the kids in your life before we ring in the new year.
Comment below with other books to help our readers diversify their bookshelf at home and in the classroom.
• Top 5 Diverse Picture Books of 2023 •
A DAY WITH NO WORDS
An instant #1 New York Times bestselling picture book and national bestseller!! A Day With No Words invites readers into the life of an Autism Family who communicates just as the child does, without spoken language.
A Day With No Words is a colorful and engaging picture book for young readers shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilizing tools to embrace their unique method of “speaking.”
The story highlights the bond between mother and child and follows them on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others.
Written by an autistic mother of two autistic sons and the creator behind the popular @Fidgets.and.Fries social media platform and illustrated by Kate Cosgrove (IG @k8cosgrove), A Day With No Words successfully normalizes communication methods outside of verbal speech and provides representation of neurodiversity and autism in a way that affirms and celebrates.
A DAY WITH NO WORDS
Written by Tiffany Hammond and Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove
Published by Wheat Penny Press
THAT FLAG
An affecting picture book from Tameka Fryer Brown and #1 New York Timesbestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith (The 1619 Project: Born on the Water) that challenges the meaning behind the still-waving Confederate flag through the friendship of two young girls who live across the street from each other.
Bianca is Keira’s best friend. At school, they are inseparable. But Keira questions their friendship when she learns more about the meaning of the Confederate flag hanging from Bianca’s front porch. Will the two friends be able to overlook their distinct understandings of the flag? Or will they reckon with the flag’s effect on yesterday and today?
In That Flag, Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith graciously tackle the issues of racism, the value of friendship, and the importance of understanding history so that we move forward together in a thought-provoking, stirring, yet ultimately tender tale.
A perfect conversation starter for the older and younger generations alike, this book includes back matter on the history of the Confederate flag and notes from the creators.
THAT FLAG
Written by Tameka Fryer Brown and Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Published by HarperCollins
HURRY KATE OR YOU’LL BE LATE
A young girl stops to call out all the sights and sounds on her morning trip to pre-school, but that’s not what makes her late–it is her dad’s goodbye hug.
Kate was late for preschool, but not for the reasons you might expect. It wasn’t because her daddy brushed her hair into poofs, or because they slowed to say hello to neighbors on the way to the bus stop. It wasn’t even because she had to wave to all the trucks, cars, and street cleaners on the road. No, Kate was late because just after they arrived at school, her daddy swooped in to give her a great big goodbye hug that lasted a very long time.
Janice N. Harrington is the Ezra Jack Keats Award winning author of Going North. With Hurry Kate or You’ll be Late, she has teamed up with illustrator Tiffany Rose to create a delightful picture book about a vehicle obsessed girl and her very patient father.
HURRY KATE OR YOU’LL BE LATE
Written by Janice N. Harrington and Illustrated by Tiffany Rose
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House
JULIE AND THE MANGO TREE
Coupled with Sayada Ramdial’s bright and colorful artwork, Julie and the Mango Treeby Sadé Smith will have readers of all ages giggling–and craving a mango of their own!
Julie loves all kinds of fruit, but mangoes are her absolute favorite. One sticky summer afternoon, Julie goes to the big mango tree in her yard to ask for a snack.But no matter how nicely she asks or how patient she tries to be, the tree just won’t drop a single sweet, juicy mango! Will Julie ever be able to convince the tree to let her have just a taste of her favorite treat?
Published by Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan
LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER MAKES A MESS
Whoops! Little Luvvie loves her mom. She loves her sister. And she loves doing nice things for other people.
But what happens when doing something nice means breaking some rules? Little Luvvie is about to find out.
Written by the New York Times bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones with bright, bold art by Joey Spiotto, this funny, sweet story about a bighearted girl with the best of intentions is sure to become a family favorite.
LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER MAKES A MESS
Written by Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Illustrated by Joey Spiotto
Published by Philomel Books
Getting together with family over the holiday season?
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Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy
specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.
Connect with Bethany on Biracial Bookworms
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